Cleaning device for tubes



June 14, 1955 L. B. WHITLOW 2,710,419

CLEANING DEVICE FOR TUBES Filed June 15, 1951 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 IWI Lyman. B. W/uf/ow INVENTOR.

June 14, 1955 L. B. WHITLOW 2,710,419

CLEANING DEVICE FOR TUBES Filed June 13, 1951 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 a gfi M ii I g-az Lyman B- Whit/aw INVENTOR.

United States Patent CLEANING DEVICE FOR TUB S Lyman B. Whitlow, Picayune, Miss.

Application June .13., 195 1,.Serial No- 131,317

9 Claims. (Cl. 15-40412) The present inven ion relates to imp ovem nts in l ning ppa a s d mo pa t c a ly to an a ac ment for use in cleaning pipes and the like and wherein the attachment includes the provision of a sprayer effecting rotation of a rotor carrying preselected of a plurality of cleaning devices whereby spraying and ro-' tation of the cleaning devices can be efiected for cleaning the inner or outer surfaces of a pipe 01. the like.

An object of the present invention resides in the provision of an attachment for 3. 10flgated inlet pipe or hose which includes a sprayerrotor assembly for effecting spraying and rotation of a cleaning device for removing scale and corrosion from (the inner'o'r outer surfaces of pipes and .the like.

Another object of the present invention :resides in the provision of an adaptor secured to the rotor for rotation therewith, the adaptor having an externally threaded portion upon which a preselected tone ;of a

therewith.

Various other objects and advantages will become apparent from the detailed description to follow. The best forms in which I have contemplated applying my .invention are clearly illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure l is a side elevational view of one form of the present invention shown applied within a pipe being cleaned, the pipe being shown in section;

Figure 2 is a vertical longitudinal sectional view through the cleaning apparatus of the present invention showing the same attached -to an inlet pipe;

Figure 3 is a vertical transverse sectional view taken substantially along the plane of line 3--3 of Figure 2;-

Figure 4 is a vertical longitudinal sectional view through the rotor of the present invention;

Figure 5 is a side elevational view of the inner tub which forms an important element of the present invention;

Figure 6 is a side elevational view of the adaptor;

Figure 7 is a detail perspective view of one form of cleaning attachment for the adaptor shown in Figure 6;

Figure 8 is a side elevational view of a second form of attachment for the rotor, parts being shown in section;

Figure 9 shows a side view of a brush which forms another attachment for the cleaning apparatus of the present invention;

Figure 10 is a bottom plan view of the device of Figure 9;

Figure 11 is a side elevational view of still another form of attachment for the adaptor shown in Figure 6; and

Figure 12 is a bottom plan view of the device of Figure 11.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, wherein like numerals designate like parts throughout, the numeral 19 designates generally the inlet tube and rotor assembly, the numeral 12 designates generally a first form of attachment for the cleaning apparatus, the

"ice

numeral 14 designates generally a second form of attachment, the numeral 16 designates generally a third fiorm .of attachment, the numeral 18 designates general- 1y a fourth form and the numeral 20 designates generally still another ,form of attachment for the cleaning apparatus of the present invention.

"Looking how at Figures 2 and 5, the inlet tube 22 which forms an important element of the present inyention ,is seen to comprise a substantially elongated cylindrical member having one end thereof externally threaded at 24 while the other end is enlarged at 26 and ormed with radial passages 28. The inlet tube 22;.is formed with .a cylindrical recess 30 which is in open communication with the radial passages 28.

Figures 2, 3, and 4 illustrate the details of the rotor 32 which is comprised .of a cylindrical member having a first bore 34 .in communication with an enlarged bore 36 and .an internally threaded bore 38. The enlarged bore 3.6 has an annular recess 40 formed therein. The rotor 32 is also provided with a plurality of angulatled discharge passages 42 which have their inner ends 44 radially extending for communication with the annular recess .40, outer ends of the discharges passages 42 being in perpendicular relation to the radial portions 44.

Looking now .at Figure 6, the adaptor will be seen to comprise an enlarged first portion 46 of cylindrical form having external threading 48 whereby the same can be threadahly engaged in the threaded bore 38 of the rotor 32, The f rst portion 46 has a reduced diameter exterpa ly threaded second portion 50 axially extending thereirom ,for a purpose to be more fully understood hereinafter.

Looking once again at Figure v2, it will be seen that the ,inner tube 22 is connected to an elongated inlet pipe or hose .52 by means of .the union 54. The rotor 32 is rotatably carried .on the .inlet tube 22 with the annular recess 40 in open communication with the radial passages 28. The adaptor is threadably engaged in the rotor 32 whereby .the enlarged portion 26 will be maintained within the bore 36 of the rotor with the passages in communication with each other.

Looking now at Figure l, the first form of attachment 12 will be seen to comprise an enlarged nut 56 to which a pieceof chain 58 is welded at 60. It will thus be seen that when fluid is applied through the pipe 52,

I it will pass through the radial passages 28 into the annular recess 40 and out the discharge passages 42 Whereby the rotor 32 will be made to rotate at a high speed, dispensing fluid against the inner walls of the pipe 62, the piece of chain 62 rotating with the nut 56 and engaging the inner surface of the pipe 62 for removing the scale therefrom.

The form of attachment 14 includes an enlarged nut 64 adapted to be threadably engaged on the adaptor portion 50. The nut 64 has an elongated rod 66 pivotally secured thereto. The rod 66 is adapted to be used when cleaning small openings of the like.

Figure 8, the attachment 16 is comprised of an enlarged nut 68 which has an elongated coil spring 70 secured thereto, the spring providing a means for cleaning small tubes and the like.

Figures 9 and 10 show the enlarged nut 72 provided with a small brush 74, the attachment 18 being provided for cleaning fiat surfaces.

Figures 11 and 12 show the enlarged nut 76 formed with a small piece of cable 78 integrally secured thereto, the attachment 20 being employed in substantially the same manner as the attachment 12 shown in Figure 1.

In view of the foregoing description, taken in conjunction with the drawings, it is believed that a device has been provided which will accomplish all of the objects hereinabove set forth. Furthermore, in view of the simplicity of the device, further description thereof is believed to be unnecessary.

Having described the invention, what is claimed as new is:

1. A cleaning device comprising an inlet tube having an enlarged end, said enlarged end being provided with radial passages communicating with the interior thereof, a rotor carried by said inlet tube for rotation thereabout, said rotor having angular passages communicating with said radial passages to cause rotation, said rotor having a countersunk bore receiving said enlarged end, an adapter removably engaged in said countersunk bore and engaging an extreme end of the inlet tube to position said rotor thereon, a cleaning element removably secured to said adapter.

2. A cleaning device comprising an inlet tube having an enlarged end, said enlarged end being provided with radial passages communicating with the interior thereof, a rotor carried by said inlet tube for rotation thereabout, said rotor having angular passages communi eating with said radial passages to cause rotation, said rotor having a countersunk bore receiving said enlarged end, an adapter removably engaged in said countersunk bore and engaging an extreme end of the inlet tube to position said motor thereon, a cleaning element removably secured to said adapter, said adapter being imperforate and threadedly engaged within said bore closing the end thereof.

3. A cleaning device comprising an inlet tube having an enlarged end, said enlarged end being provided with radial passages communicating with the interior thereof, a rotor carried by said inlet tube for rotation thereabout, said rotor having a countersunk bore receiving said enlarged end, an adapter removably engaged in said countersunk bore and engaging an extreme end of the inlet tube to position said rotor thereon, a cleaning'ele ment removably secured to said adapter, said rotor being provided with an annular recess aligned with said passages, annulated discharge passages having inner ends communicating with said annular recess and extending radially therefrom, outer ends in perpendicular relation to the inner ends.

4. A cleaning device comprising an inlet tube having an enlarged end, said enlarged end being provided ing element removably secured to said adapter, said rotor being provided with an annular recess aligned with said passages, annulated discharge passages having inner ends communicating with said annular recess and extending radially therefrom, outer ends in perpendicular relation to the inner ends, said cleaning element including a nut portion threadedly engaged with said adapter for selectively securing the same thereto.

5. The cleaning device of claim 4 wherein said cleaning element includes a piece of chain secured to said nut portion and providing means for cleaning interior of pipes.

6. The cleaning device of claim 4 wherein said cleaning element includes an elongated rod secured to said nut portion for rotation therewith and cleaning small openings.

7. The cleaning device of claim 6 wherein said elongated rod is in the form of a coil spring secured directly to said nut portion and supported thereby.

8. The cleaning device of claim 1 wherein said cleaning element includes an elongated coil spring secured directly to and supported by a nut engageable with said adapter.

9. The cleaning device of claim 4 wherein said cleaning element includes a brush secured to said nut for rotation therewith.

-References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Re. 12,355 Adams June 13, 1905 169,347 Evans Nov. 2, 1875 213,919 McGinnis Apr. 1, 1879 457,099 Woolsey Aug. 4, 1891 599,840 Holden Mar. 1, 1898 921,569 Tupes May 11, 1909 1,237,056 Kitchen Aug. 14, 1917 1,319,323 Carroll Oct. 21, 1919 2,062,850 Weaver et al. Dec. 1, 1936 2,155,205 Rodgers Apr. 18, 1939 2,218,130 Court Oct. 15, 1940 2,318,696 Linden May 11, 1943 2,336,293 Pletcher Dec. 7, 1943 FOREIGN PATENTS 383,631 Germany Oct. 15, 1923 41,358 Norway May 11, 1925 389,257 Great Britain Mar. 16, 1933 936,610 France Feb. 23, 1948 618,556 Great Britain Feb. 23, 1949 

